Category: Personal take

Yes, the Holidays are upon us. Shopping, decorating, eating, spending, cooking, eating, planning, visiting, eating. See a pattern here? Food, and I use the term losely, will be available and offered continuously. Most, however, is fat, high fructose corn syrup, and sugar filled snacks, treats and desserts. Sure someone worked hard to make them, with love I’m sure, however, if the person preparing these goodies really cares, they will not be insulted by your refusal, or your “O.K., but just a bite”, reply, and more importantly, they should not even try to make us feel guilty for not indulging.

This time of year is a good excuse for cheating, and we all do, yes, even me!!!! We must, however, choose our cheats carefully, not just one of each, or, I’ll starve myself tomorrow. Homemade foods, desserts especially, are very hard to guesstimate the carb load and the numerous other ingredient that will raise that blood sugar number up, not to mention blood fats, blood pressure, ets. If we could just not feel like we are being punished or ripped-off because we should noteat it all, and work on a mind-set of being thankful that we have a legitimate excuse, or easy out, for not packing on the pounds, or feeling bloated or stuffed. Yes, it is a whole new mind set, I’ve been working on it for many years, but it works for me. The important people I’m around understand, the others I really don’t care if they do. Ignorance runs amok when it comes to good, safe foods and snacks, and you can see it in appearances.

Be safe this Holiday, be careful to use moderation, and if it makes the cavities in your teeth hurt to eat it, watch out!!!

It came to my attention while reading some updates on nutritional info, that the EU, or European Union’s food safety watchdogs, have been looking into the safety issues of aspartame. Coincidentally, this was after sales in major soft drink company’s sales have shrunk, (meaning people really are paying attention), they have decided after several of the most “comprehensive risk assessments of aspartame ever undertaken” that if consumed as directed (dosage??) it is safe.

This is the opinion of Alicja Mortensen, chairwoman of EFSA’s Panel on Food Additives and NutrientSources Added to Foods or (ANS Panel). It has found “no evidence of safety concerns at the current EU “acceptable daily intake” (ADI) level for aspartame of 40 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) of body weight. Here is how one would figure a “safe” amount of aspartame; One can of diet sodacontains on average 180 milligrams of aspartame, meaning an adult weighing 75 kilograms can drink up to 16 cans per day to exceed the EU’s safe level. the US’s allowable daily intake is slightly higher at 50 mg/kg. However this does not take into account all the aspartame added to just about every thing else we eat and drink, without us realizing it.

Do the math for yourself, actually, I’m horrible at math, especially the metric system, it’s just easier on my mind and physical well being that I don’t partake in the aspartame experiment which continues to go on.

(This info was from Rutgers on 12/10/13…EU food safety body sees no new health risk from aspartame.

Relationships can be difficult under the best circumstances, especially new ones. Imagine one where a young, single guy can’t figure out why his new girl is always leaving the dinner table or picnic area alone before meals, won’t snack on movie munchies without leaving the room first. She seems normal most times, enjoys outdoor activities, dancing, movies, gatherings with friends and even watching sports with you and your buddies. It’s almost like she hiding something from you but you can’t figure it out, is she doing drugs? Binge and purge, only that would be after eating! And why during or after extended activities or outings does she become flustered and confused, unable to complete a single train of thought? He was not aware I was checking my blood glucose levels.

Well, my better half, Pat, since 1987 learned through living it with me, the “life and times” of the PWD. My husband, who can be described best as a busy and dedicated man in his field, took on the life of living with a Type 1 diabetic who initially new little, but was determined to learn all she could. Fortunately for me, so did Pat. Together we learned what I should and shouldn’t, could and wouldn’t, and well, O.K. maybe I will, do things. The hardest part is my diabetes did not read the owner’s manual on what will work and what won’t. Luckily, my husband learned the signs and symptoms of low blood sugars, and has saved me many times, despite my fighting and cursing that ” I AM FINE.”

I did not have insurance, we were not married yet, however, he did not back down when it came to helping me attain what I needed. Initially, it was not much, as I was pretty self sufficient and healthy PWD, however, as things mature, relationships, knowledge and unfortunately our bodies, so does wear and tear. My low blood sugars took on “new and exciting” characteristics. Soon I could talk and communicate with no slurring or tripping over words, or fragmented thoughts at blood sugar readings in the 30s. This began to concern Pat, I no longer broke out in sweats. This caused me to have to test twice as much, because when I did goof up, it “HAD” to be low sugar.

I certainly cannot fault Pat for his concern. Imagine having someones life in your hands even when that other person does not realize it! I have regained consciousness, standing in the bathtub, in my pajamas, with a glass of juice in my hands. Dripping wet from sweat with Pat holding a cold wash cloth for me, never judging. I have become aware of someone talking in our bedroom, apologizing for having to have called the EMTs, repeating, “I know you’re gonna be mad, but I couldn’t wake you”, over and over. I would look at him pacing with the phone in one hand, a blood monitor in the other, and the taste of juice in my mouth. I could move or speak well, but he was always so happy to see I was responding. It breaks my heart that I cause him this pain, and I try to make him realize how much he means to me.

Hopefully, we all have our guardian angels close by. That we all were able to grow and learn together what to do, what to watch for and how to respond. This is not a single persons disease, but one that requires someone to monitor at times, especially if the PWD is trying to live a healthy lifestyle and live a long time. Low blood sugars are a serious event, causing immediate effects and requiring immediate attention. Telling the people you love, the people you work with, or the people you hang with is of the utmost importance for these reasons.